MrTheo

I know there are lots of threads on what to do with a long layover but my question is what will open on a Sunday? I'm considering taking the train to Cologne so I can see the countryside. I was also debating renting a car. Any suggestions?

LondonElite

What are you looking to do, kill some time or do you have a specific agenda in mind? Are you coming off a longhaul flight and getting onto another in the evening and want to stretch you legs and tank some sunshine? Do you just want to sit in a restaurant and eat and drink?

In terms of most of these possibilities the same things will be open in Cologne as in Frankfurt (i.e. museums, some shops, some attractions). It's about an hour by ICE to Cologne from Frankfurt airport. Your ten-hour layover is more like five at the destination once you deduct one hour to get from wheels-down to the train station, two hours of train journey time there and back, and arrival two hours before your next departure (all broad timings). Personally I would not bother with Cologne, but it's hard to give you advice if we don't know what you're interested in doing during that time (and once you do, there are tons of threads with relevant info.)

bacchus85

Just a reminder: the trains that run Frankfurt-Cologne in 1:00 hr are high Speed Trains with no remarkable landscape at all.

Only the slower trains along the Rhine River offer views of the landscapes, and they take about 2:15 hrs each way.

dj_jay_smith

In fact, if you want the best countryside then just take the train to Koblenz.

If you want to do this I would suggest actually to take the boat from Bingen or Rudesheim to Koblenz and then take the train back.

Bingen is on the line from Frankurt - Koblenz, but the boat dock is a bit of a walk from the train station (Hbf). Rudesheim is on the opposite side of the river and the station is closer to the dock but you will have to change train in Wiesbaden, and have a longer trip on the boat.

Koblenz is a nice little town where you can grab lunch and have a walk around before heading back.


Cologne is not so stunningly beautiful that it is worth a long detour from Frankfurt.

mosburger

Or stay in Frankfurt and head to the Palmengarten.

http://www.palmengarten.de/#/de_DE/index/index

Then a leisurely meal and a glass or two of the local "Ebbelwoi"

LondonElite

You are familiar with the after-effects of this, right? Maybe not such a good idea to drink too much of this before a long flight!

fppmongo

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fppmongo

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MrTheo

I'm not looking for shopping. I wanted to see a castle or two but it being Sunday I'm thinking most of them will be closed. I really just want to see as much of the history and culture as possible.

AlienInTheFatherland

Castles, museums, etc. will all be open on Sundays.

mosburger

Still, having lived in Mainhattan as a kid and been back numerous times since, it's part of the "must do" list.

dnwaldmann

What "after effects" are you ascribing to this, other than any other alcoholic beverage?

LondonElite

Livelihood of the bowels.